and
Posted on 05/15/2005 2:59:58 PM PDT by Pharmboy
BALDWIN PARK, Calif. (AP) - Members of a group that opposes illegal immigration protested a piece of public art with inscriptions they claim are anti-American, sparking heated exchanges with residents of this heavily Hispanic city. Police in riot helmets separated the 40 members of Save Our State and scores of residents during the rally Saturday, but there were no reports of arrests or injuries. The protesters were then escorted away from the site.
The artwork, called "Danza Indigenas," has a 20-foot-high arch with inscriptions that read, "It was better before they came and "This land was Mexican once, was Indian always and is, and will be again."
The Ventura-based Save Our State organization, formed seven months ago, said it wants the inscriptions removed before the Fourth of July.
"I find it incredibly offensive," said Joseph Turner, the group's executive director. He said the inscription "is seditious in nature. It essentially talks about returning this land to Mexico."
The artwork was created 12 years ago by artist Judy Baca and commissioned by the city. Baca said the structure is a "layered history piece" that honors American Indians, immigrants and other groups who have lived for centuries in the area.
Baca said that Save Our State's complaint was misguided. She said the quote, "It was better before they came," was originally uttered by a "white man from Arkansas," who was complaining about the arrival of Mexican-Americans after World War II.
"When it went on the arch, its ambiguity became profound," she said. "The 'they' could be any 'they.'"
Baldwin Park, about 70 percent Hispanic, is 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
I don't think the "and will be again" is ambiguous
and
Too late.
Golden State Ping...
It's amazing when you think about it...the average liberal has a greater anti-American point of view on this than the average LEGAL Mexican-American immigrant.
Controversy or no controversy, this is the type of thing that happens when cities (read: your tax dollars) have the ability to "commission art."
As an artist, I totally buy the "ambiguity of the 'they,'" argument -- it makes people think about who "they" are, and, in the grand scheme of things, who the original, "theys," were.
That said, divisive social and identity politics are so much hogwash -- from either side -- no matter who the "victimized" social group is: the poor, blacks, women, immigrants, white males, poor-me Christians -- whomever. It's all just whining.
As an artist, I totally buy the "ambiguity of the 'they,'" argument -- it makes people think about who "they" are, and, in the grand scheme of things, who the original, "theys," were.
That said, divisive social and identity politics are so much hogwash -- from either side -- no matter who the "victimized" social group is: the poor, blacks, women, immigrants, white males, poor-me Christians -- whomever. It's all just whining.
Reading the quote, it does not sound ambiguous to me, actually, more like a threat. This is political art, not unlike the trash that the Whitney in NYC displayed for much of the '80s (eventually they changed curators). This city commisioned art that (essentially) advocates the overthrow of themselves. Perfect.
Just out of curiosity what would Mexicans do with "This land" if they ever got hold of it?
Just taking a look at the Third World villages they ran away from conjures up images of future slums and ghettos where once stood condos and suburbs.
Nor do I. But I guess Ms. Baca hopes this diabla blanca isn't too bright.
From an artistic standpoint, there is an argument to be made for the ambiguity. Whether or not they MEANT it as a threat, I can't say, but judging from the "and will be again," in the second quote -- it certainly sounds somewhat threatening. That, however, makes the ambiguity argument no less logical, particularly from an artistic standpoint.
I just hate any and all divisive identity politics -- and this certainly falls in that category.
(musical intro)
Way down there, they are all planning to leave
Load the van, they'll drink tequila and heave
The U.S., they'll drag down and they won't grieve
Oh, Mexico
The country is a hellhole of corruption, we know
We'll be so screwed if we don't stop the flow
Illegals from Mexico
Liberals want voters so that they can win
One world dream...this is how they will begin
We must share...that's because, we all are kin
Oh, Mexico
The country is a hellhole of corruption, we know
We'll be so screwed if we don't stop the flow
Illegals from Mexico
With them they're bringing a boatload of drugs
In our streets, you can see grandma get mugged
Leaders, hey --- we are really getting bugged
Oh, Mexico
The country is a hellhole of corruption, we know
We'll be so screwed if we don't stop the flow
Illegals from Mexico
Oh, Mexico
The country is a hellhole of corruption, we know
We'll be so screwed if we don't stop the flow
Illegals from Mexico
We've had it, Mexico
We'll make your people go
We've had it, Mexico
Big buses in a row
Your whole darn nation blows
We've had it, Mexico
We'll make your people go
We've had it, Mexico
Second, I agree: the only identity politics we should have here is as Americans. What the artist did was divisive and anti-American, and from the sound of her response, she knows it.
Nice job, DFU. They want to turn all of CA into Tijuana...yecchh.
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